Keurigs are designed for K-Cup pods, but you can use regular ground coffee in most models with a reusable pod (reusable K-Cup). That lets you choose any beans, save money per cup, and reduce pod waste. This guide covers how to use regular coffee in your Keurig: which reusable pods work, what grind to use, how much coffee to add, and how to get a strong, consistent cup. For stronger results, pair with our how to make a strong cup of coffee with Keurig tips.

Reusable K-Cups: What You Need

A reusable K-Cup is a plastic or metal basket that fits in your Keurig’s pod holder. You fill it with your own ground coffee, close the lid, and brew like a normal pod. Most Keurig brewers accept at least one style of reusable pod—check compatibility with your model (e.g. “K-Cup compatible” or “Keurig 2.0 compatible”). Some machines have an official “multi-stream” or “My K-Cup” accessory; others work with third-party reusable pods. Once you have a compatible basket, you only need ground coffee (or whole beans and a grinder).

Grind Size and Dose

Use a medium to fine grind—finer than drip, but not as fine as espresso. Too coarse and the water will run through too fast and the cup will taste weak; too fine and you may get a clogged or bitter brew. A burr grinder set to a medium or medium-fine setting usually works. Dose: Fill the reusable basket full but don’t pack it so tight that water can’t flow. A typical dose is around 2–3 tablespoons (10–15 g) per cup, depending on basket size. Experiment: more coffee and a smaller brew size (6–8 oz) will give a stronger cup. Fresh-ground coffee from a burr grinder will taste better than pre-ground.

Brew Size and Strength

Brew at 6 or 8 oz for a stronger cup; 10–12 oz will dilute the flavor. If your Keurig has a strong or bold button, use it with the reusable pod so you get more extraction. Run a water-only cycle now and then to flush the needle and avoid leftover grounds affecting the next brew. For more ways to get a bolder cup, see our how to make a strong cup of coffee with Keurig guide.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Reusable pods need a quick rinse after each use and an occasional deeper clean so old oils don’t build up. Remove the lid and basket, rinse, and dry. Check the Keurig’s needle and drip area for stuck grounds. Descaling your machine on schedule (see your manual) keeps flow consistent so your regular coffee brews properly too.

Conclusion

Using regular coffee in your Keurig is straightforward: get a compatible reusable pod, use medium to fine ground coffee, fill the basket full, and brew at 6–8 oz (and use strong brew if available). Pair with a good grinder for the best flavor and you’ll get the flexibility of any beans without buying pods.

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